Chanute Business and Professional Women celebrated the 2024 National Business Women’s Week with several activities. Oct. 14 was the signing of the proclamation by Chanute Mayor Jacob LaRue at the city commission meeting. Attending the meeting were Tayah Williams and daughter Prestyn, Jen Brown, Sharon Carpenter, club president, and Kathy Williams, club secretary.
On Oct. 18, Kathy Williams placed the BPW poster board which she designed with pictures of speakers and local members in the window of Cardinal Drug Store. This was on display until Oct. 30. A page in the Chanute Tribune was dedicated with BPW information of local activities. The club is thankful for the local businesses sponsoring the page and listing their women employees.
A special event was Oct. 21 at the Chanute USD 413 Board Office with special guest speaker Cassie Cleaver, president of the USD 413 Foundation. Also attending from the foundation were treasurer Laura Kmiec, Wendy Jones and Linda Duncan. Cassie’s presentation was what the foundation did. The foundation began in 1969. Each year the foundation works with the school district to provide extra support above and beyond the district’s ability. Some of this includes student activity support at all schools, student meal support at CHS for activities, athletics, senior banners, teacher supply room, teacher and staff appreciation events, gift certificates for the book fair, classroom grants for teachers, after-prom events, a closet with prom dresses and suits for rent, plus many other things. A huge garage sale brings in a large donation every summer and the foundation accepts tax-deductible donations from businesses, organizations and the community.
After the presentation the group had its meeting. Guest speaker was Matthew Murray, a phlebotomy student at Neosho County Community College. He has spearheaded a Red Cross blood drive at the college and received a monetary kickback from the Red Cross for his voluntary efforts, which he donated to BPW for a scholarship fund.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 6 p.m. For more information on Chanute Business and Professional Club, contact Sharon Carpenter at 620-431-8532.
